Suzuya has a flashback to his days as Rei and is comforted by his squad.

TW for PTSD. 

“You’re an artist,” a CCG Investigator says, admiring Suzuya’s efficiently slain victims. 

Suzuya pauses. 

“He’s an artist already.”

“Rei-chan, you did so well. You get … fifty good boy points!”

Hanbee Abara frowns as Suzuya slips away without saying anything. He’s seen that blank expression before, and usually it ends with Suzuya crying alone in his room. Suzuya thinks his squad doesn’t hear, but they do.

“No one out there will want you, but I do.” Big Madam rubs his hair as he doubles over in pain. Blood seeps out from between his thighs. “Such a good little girl.” 

“I don’t want to be a girl,” he whispers to himself.

“Suzuya?” Keijin Nakarai approaches hesitantly. 

Suzuya stares at the ground. “I wanted to see the giraffes.”

“Hey.” Mizurou Tamaki snaps his fingers. “Back to present, Suzuya. We’re here.”

“Huh?” Suzuya raises his head.

“Are you okay?” Miyuki Mikage wants to hug him, but he’s not sure physical contact is what Suzuya needs.

“I’m a bad boy,” he says, beginning to cry. “Rei.”

“No. No, you’re not.” Keijin grabs their leader and wrestles him into an embrace. “You’re Juuzou.”

“And we like your name,” says Mikage.

“And we like you,” adds Hanbee, joining the hug.

“We think of you as a good, strong leader boy,” says Mizurou. 

“We love you, Suzuya,” Hanbee says.

Suzuya sniffles. His eyes are wide. “Do you?”

“Yes,” declares Keijin.

“I love you all, too.” Suzuya begins to sob. “Can you just – hold me – I miss Shinohara, and sometimes I miss Big Madam – and sometimes I hate myself -”

“We know, we know.” Keijin rocks Suzuya back and forth.

“There’s nothing that’s been done to you that takes away your value,” Mizurou assures Suzuya.

“We love you,” Hanbee repeats. It’s all he can say.

But Suzuya smiles, even if ever so weakly, and Hanbee thinks maybe it’s enough.